Last month, Indiana's school business community gathered in French Lick for IASBO's 80th Annual Conference & Expo. As always, Boyce was proud to be part of it.
This year, we brought a team of 12.
That matters to us. We don't believe showing up means staffing a booth and heading home. It means being present -- in the sessions, in the hallway conversations, around the dinner table, and alongside the school business professionals we serve every day.
Several members of our team attended educational sessions right alongside customers, not to present, but to listen. To understand what they're hearing, where they're struggling, and where we can do better.
With nearly 200 Indiana school districts relying on Boyce, we believe that's part of our responsibility.
IASBO welcomed more than 600 attendees this year, including more than 275 Boyce customers representing 117 districts across the state. Having that many of the people we serve gathered in one place is a tremendous opportunity to learn.
Doing More with Less
One theme came through loud and clear: School business offices are being asked to do more with less.
The funding pressures facing Indiana schools are real. Business managers and CFOs aren't just managing today's budget. They're planning for uncertainty ahead while making incredibly difficult decisions that affect students, staff, and communities.
Technology Still Matters
Here's what stood out to us: We didn't hear people pulling back from technology.
In fact, we heard the opposite.
Schools remain willing to invest in solutions that deliver clear value -- tools that save time, improve efficiency, reduce administrative burden, and help teams accomplish more with the resources they already have. That perspective resonated deeply with us.
At Boyce, we've always believed technology should simplify work, not create more of it. The goal isn't software for software's sake. It's helping school business professionals reclaim time for the work that matters most.
We also heard continued interest in cloud-based solutions. Districts are looking for technology that reduces complexity, keeps them current, and provides a clear path forward. As expectations evolve, modern, cloud-first systems are becoming an increasingly important part of helping schools operate efficiently and prepare for the future.
Partnership Matters
Another message we heard repeatedly was the importance of partnership: Support matters.
Knowing someone will answer the phone when year-end gets complicated. Having a trusted partner to call when deadlines are approaching. Working with people who understand Indiana schools and genuinely care about your success.
Those conversations reaffirmed something we believe strongly: relationships still matter.
Efficiency Continues to Drive Interest
There was also tremendous interest in Employee Hub. For many districts, the appeal wasn't flashy features. It was the opportunity to eliminate paperwork, simplify routine processes, and give valuable time back to already stretched teams.
Again, efficiency was the common thread.
School business offices are looking for practical ways to work smarter, streamline processes, and focus more of their energy on serving students, staff, and their communities.
The Best Conversations Happen Between Sessions
Some of the most meaningful conversations happened outside the expo hall.
During our customer social, more than 200 people joined us for an evening of connection and conversation. The following night, we had the opportunity to share dinner with several customers. Those moments often teach us the most -- what's working well, what's creating frustration, and where we have the opportunity to serve better.
What We Took Away from IASBO
As we reflected on our time in French Lick, one thing became clear: Indiana schools need partners who understand this state, continue investing in practical solutions, and remain focused on helping districts operate more efficiently.
That's the standard our customers set for us at IASBO. And it's exactly the standard we intend to meet.
To everyone who stopped by our booth, attended an event, shared an idea, voiced a concern, or simply took a few minutes to catch up -- thank you. We are grateful for the trust you place in Boyce. And we're more committed than ever to earning that trust every single day.
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